EP3271252B1 - Aufrechtstehender beutel mit flachem boden, vertikales form-, füll- und versiegelungssystem und verfahren zur verwendung davon - Google Patents

Aufrechtstehender beutel mit flachem boden, vertikales form-, füll- und versiegelungssystem und verfahren zur verwendung davon Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3271252B1
EP3271252B1 EP16711482.6A EP16711482A EP3271252B1 EP 3271252 B1 EP3271252 B1 EP 3271252B1 EP 16711482 A EP16711482 A EP 16711482A EP 3271252 B1 EP3271252 B1 EP 3271252B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
elongated sheet
tube
segment
edge
substantially cylindrical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16711482.6A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3271252A1 (de
Inventor
John Joseph Michels
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kellanova
Original Assignee
Kellogg Co
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Publication date
Application filed by Kellogg Co filed Critical Kellogg Co
Publication of EP3271252A1 publication Critical patent/EP3271252A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3271252B1 publication Critical patent/EP3271252B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/743—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc
    • B29C65/7441—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using the same tool for both joining and severing, said tool being monobloc or formed by several parts mounted together and forming a monobloc for making welds and cuts of other than simple rectilinear form
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
    • B29C66/244—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being non-straight, e.g. forming non-closed contours
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B29C66/43129—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams said flat seams being transversal but non-orthogonal with respect to the tubular or hollow articles, i.e. oblique
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
    • B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls
    • B65B41/16—Feeding webs from rolls by rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
    • B65B51/303—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes reciprocating along only one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/005—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for removing material by cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/04—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages
    • B65B61/06—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/2042—Means for altering the cross-section of the tube filling opening prior to transversal sealing, e.g. tube spreading devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/22—Forming shoulders; Tube formers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D31/10—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with gusseted sides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/008—Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2795/00—Printing on articles made from plastics or substances in a plastic state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72321—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
    • B29C66/72328—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/2014—Tube advancing means
    • B65B9/2028—Rollers or belts

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a flat-bottom stand-up bag, a vertical form, fill, and seal (VFFS) system and a methodology for utilizing the same.
  • VFFS vertical form, fill, and seal
  • Flat-bottom stand-up bags typically contain deposited materials such as, for example, foodstuff (e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts, or the like).
  • foodstuff e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts, or the like.
  • Known flat-bottom stand-up bags include several design deficiencies that may result in, for example, an undesirable entrapment of the deposited material between folds of the material defining the bag, which may contribute to an imbalance of the bag.
  • Such imbalances of the bag may result in the bag not being arranged in an upright orientation, thereby requiring an external structure such as a box or other fixture to ensure that the bag remains properly orientated on a display shelf. Without support from such an external structure, the bag may be susceptible to tipping over which, in turn, prevents a consumer from easily identifying the contents of the bag. While such external structures adequately support a bag on a display shelf, such structures add to the overall cost and complexity associated with packaging and displaying foodstuff.
  • the first aperture and the second aperture include a substantially triangular shape, whereby the triangular shape has a base that is substantially coplanar with an outer edge of the first segment. Additionally or alternatively, the first aperture is formed through the left sidewall portion and the second aperture is formed through the right sidewall portion.
  • the first aperture includes an edge that is substantially coplanar with an outer edge of the first segment.
  • a bag which is not part of the present invention is provided and includes a front sidewall panel portion having a first end including a first cross member extending between and connecting a first edge and a second edge to provide the first end with a substantially "U" shape.
  • the bag also includes a rear sidewall panel portion having a second end including a second cross member extending between and connecting a third edge and a fourth edge to provide the second end with a substantially "U” shape, whereby the second cross member is attached to the first cross member to create a first sealed joint between the front sidewall panel portion and the rear sidewall panel portion.
  • a right sidewall panel portion extends between and connects the front sidewall panel portion and the rear sidewall panel portion at the first edge and the third edge to create a second sealed joint at a junction of the right sidewall panel portion and the first edge and a third sealed joint at a junction of the right sidewall panel portion and the third edge.
  • a left sidewall panel portion extends between and connects the front sidewall panel portion and the rear sidewall panel portion at the second edge and the fourth edge to create a fourth sealed joint at a junction of the left sidewall panel portion and the second edge and a fifth sealed joint at a junction of the left sidewall panel portion and the fourth edge.
  • the front sidewall panel portion is folded at a location along a length of the first edge and the second edge to cause the first cross member to oppose a surface of the front sidewall panel portion.
  • the first edge and the second edge may be deformed at the fold to maintain the folded nature of the first edge and the second edge.
  • the first edge and the second edge receive the application of at least one of heat and pressure at the fold to maintain the folded nature of the first edge and the second edge.
  • first edge and the second edge extend from the first cross member at an obtuse angle and in opposite directions from one another.
  • the third edge and the fourth edge also extend from the second cross member at an obtuse angle and in opposite directions from one another.
  • the third edge and the fourth edge extend from the second cross member at an obtuse angle and in opposite directions from one another independent from the configuration of the first edge and the second edge.
  • the second sealed joint and the third sealed joint terminate at the first sealed joint.
  • the fourth sealed joint and the fifth sealed joint terminate at the first sealed j oint.
  • the first sealed joint cooperates with the second sealed joint and the fourth sealed joint to provide the first end with a continuous, sealed joint extending along the first edge, the second edge, and the first cross member.
  • the first sealed joint cooperates with the third sealed joint and the fifth sealed joint to provide the second end with a continuous, sealed joint extending along the third edge, the fourth edge, and the second cross member.
  • a flat-bottom stand-up bag may be formed from an elongated sheet of material that is interfaced with a vertical form, fill, and seal (VFFS) system.
  • VFFS vertical form, fill, and seal
  • the VFFS system may be utilized, for example, in the food production industry for depositing foodstuff (e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts, or the like) into the flat-bottom stand-up bag.
  • the VFFS system includes a finishing station that forms a lower end of the flat-bottom stand-up bag and may include at least one of, for example: (1) a gusseting mechanism for forming gussets along opposing sides of the flat-bottom stand-up bag; (2) a cutting mechanism that removes portions of material from the elongated sheet of material that forms the flat-bottom stand-up bag; and (3) a sealing mechanism that shapes and seals the lower end of the flat-bottom stand-up bag and an upper end of a subsequent flat-bottom stand-up bag.
  • a finishing station that forms a lower end of the flat-bottom stand-up bag and may include at least one of, for example: (1) a gusseting mechanism for forming gussets along opposing sides of the flat-bottom stand-up bag; (2) a cutting mechanism that removes portions of material from the elongated sheet of material that forms the flat-bottom stand-up bag; and (3) a sealing mechanism that shapes and seals the lower end of the flat-bottom stand-up bag
  • a VFFS system 10 includes a plurality of connected components/stations 12-26.
  • the plurality of connected components/stations 12-26 include, for example: a support rod or spindle 12; a plurality of tensioners 14; a sheet guide 16; a vertically-arranged forming tube 18; a product delivery cylinder 20; a pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22; a vertical sealer 24; and a finishing station 26.
  • the VFFS system 10 is shown in simplified form and does not illustrate, for example, one or more of: a supporting structure and an enclosure.
  • the above described plurality of connected components/stations 12-26 of the VFFS system 10 may be said to be connected to one another due to the fact that the above-described components 12-26 of the VFFS system 10 are connected to one or more of the not-illustrated supporting structure and the enclosure.
  • the plurality of connected components/stations 12-26 of the VFFS system 10 may be said to be connected together, or are in communication with one another upon interfacing an elongated sheet of material S with the plurality of interconnected components/stations 12-26 of the VFFS system 10.
  • the elongated sheet of material S may be, for example, a packaging film, such as: polypropylene; polyester; paper; polyolefin extrusions; adhesive laminates; and other such materials; or from layered combinations of the above. If the deposited material is foodstuff, the elongated sheet of material S may include an innermost metalized layer that assists in the retention of, for example, flavor of the foodstuff.
  • the elongated sheet of material S is initially arranged in the form of a wound roll that is rotatably supported on the support rod 12.
  • the wound roll of the elongated sheet of material S is reeled off of the support rod 12 and subsequently interfaced with the remaining plurality of connected components/stations 12-26 of the VFFS system 10.
  • the VFFS system 10 spatially and physically manipulates the elongated sheet of material S from a first orientation in the form of a substantially planar sheet (as seen, for example, when the elongated sheet of material S is located about the plurality of tensioners 14) to a final orientation in the form of a three-dimensional end product defining a flat-bottom stand-up bag, B.
  • the flat-bottom stand-up bag B is defined by an enclosed end wall EW having a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint.
  • the substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint assists in maintaining the flat-bottom stand-up bag B in an upright orientation, and, therefore inhibits the flat-bottom stand-up bag B from tipping over once the flat-bottom stand-up bag B is located upon a display shelf, for example. Further, the substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint also contributes to the formation of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • the substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint also contributes to having a spatial geometry that inhibits an undesirable entrapment of the deposited material (e.g., foodstuff) between folds of material defining the flat-bottom stand-up bag B near the enclosed end wall EW of the flat-bottom stand-up bag, B.
  • the flat-bottom stand-up bag B is further inhibited from tipping over once the flat-bottom stand-up bag B is located upon a display shelf or other flat surface.
  • an exemplary elongated sheet of material S includes a plurality of segments S P defined by, for example, a first segment S 1 a second segment S 2 a third segment S 3 and an "n th " segment S n (where n is an integer greater or equal to 1 (n ⁇ 1)).
  • n is an integer greater or equal to 1 (n ⁇ 1)
  • four segments i.e., the first segment S 1 the second segment S 2 the third segment S 3 and the "n th " segment S n
  • the elongated sheet of material S is exemplary and not limited to any particular number of segments. Portions of an exemplary segment of the plurality of segments S P is described at FIG. 3 .
  • each segment S 1 //S 2 //S 3 //S n is utilized for forming the flat-bottom stand-up bag B except for a first substantially triangular cut section DC 1 ' (see also, e.g., FIG. 5B ) and a second substantially triangular cut section DC 2 ' (see also, e.g., FIG. 5B ).
  • the first substantially triangular cut section DC 1 ', and the second substantially triangular cut section DC 2 ' are removed from each segment S 1 //S 2 //S 3 //S n during the manufacture of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B by the VFFS system 10.
  • each segment S 1 //S 2 //S 3 //S n is defined by a length L and a width W.
  • the width W is bound by a left edge E L and a right edge E R .
  • the length L is bound by a top edge E T and a bottom edge E B .
  • the bottom edge E B is defined by a left bottom edge portion E BL a middle bottom edge portion E BM and a right bottom edge portion E BR .
  • the length L includes a first length segment L1 a second length segment L2 and a third length segment L3.
  • the first length segment L1 is bound by the top edge E T and a first horizontal dashed line Hi that extends across the width, W.
  • the second length segment L2 is bound by the first horizontal dashed line Hi and a second horizontal dashed line H 2 that extends across the width W.
  • the third length segment L3 is bound by the second horizontal dashed line H 2 and the bottom edge E B .
  • the first length segment L1 defines a length of a plurality of sidewall panel portions SP of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • a plurality of vertical dashed lines are shown extending across the length L in order to distinguish the plurality of sidewall panel portions SP of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B from one another.
  • the plurality of sidewall panel portions SP may include, for example: a front sidewall panel portion SP F ; a left sidewall panel portion SP L ; a right sidewall panel portion SP R ; a first half of a back sidewall panel portion SP B1 ; and a second half of the back sidewall panel portion SP B2 .
  • the second length segment L2 generally defines a length of a plurality of bottom panel portions BP of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • the plurality of dashed lines extending across the length L distinguishes the plurality of bottom panel portions BP of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B from one another.
  • the plurality of bottom panel portions BP of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B may include, for example: a front bottom panel portion BP F ; a left bottom panel portion BP L ; a right bottom panel portion BP R ; a first half of a back bottom panel portion BP B1 ; and a second half of the back bottom panel portion BP B2 .
  • the third length segment L3 generally defines a length of a plurality of horizontally sealable lip portions LH of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • the plurality of horizontally sealable lip portions LH of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B include: a front horizontally sealable lip portion LH F ; a first half of a back horizontally sealable lip portion LH B1 ; and a second half of the back horizontally sealable lip portion LH B2 .
  • All of the length L and a first portion Wi of the width W extending from the left edge E L forms a first half a vertically-sealable lip portion LVi. All of the length L and a second portion W 2 of the width W extending from the right edge E R forms a second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 .
  • an exemplary method for utilizing the VFFS system 10 is described.
  • the steps 101-106 of the method 100 are sequentially carried out in a successive order.
  • An elongated sheet of material S is rotatably supported at 101 on the support rod 12 and is arranged about the plurality of tensioners 14 in order to keep the elongated sheet of material S taught as the elongated sheet of material S is guided through the VFFS system 10.
  • the plurality of tensioners 14 may be defined by at least, for example, a leading tensioner 14 1 and a trailing tensioner 14 7 .
  • the plurality of tensioners 14 may also include a plurality of intermediate tensioners 14 2 -14 6 arranged between the leading tensioner 14 1 and the trailing tensioner 14 7 .
  • the elongated sheet of material S is passed from the trailing tensioner 14 7 for subsequent guiding over the sheet guide 16 and toward the vertically arranged forming tube 18 and the product delivery cylinder 20.
  • there are seven tensioners 14 1 -14 7 there are seven tensioners 14 1 -14 7 , however, any number of tensioners 14 1 -14 7 may be used.
  • the sheet guide 16 directs the elongated sheet of material S into the vertically arranged forming tube 18 that is arranged around the product delivery cylinder 20. Once the elongated sheet of material S is directed into the vertically-arranged forming tube 18, the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 draws the left edge E L and the right edge E R of the elongated sheet of material S together in an overlapping configuration at 102 while also reconfiguring the spatial geometry of the elongated sheet of material S from a substantially planar shape (as seen, e.g., about the plurality of tensioners 14) to a substantially cylindrical or tube shape about the vertically-arranged forming tube 18.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 is arranged in direct contact with the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S for advancing the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S along the vertically arranged forming tube 18 and away from a material depositing opening 28 of the product delivery cylinder 20.
  • the overlapping configuration of the left edge E L and the right edge E R of the elongated sheet of material S results in at least a portion of the first half of the vertically-sealable lip portion, LVi, to be arranged in an overlapped orientation with respect to at least a portion of the second half of the vertically-sealable lip portion LV 2 .
  • the first half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 1 is overlapped with the second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 the first half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 1 is joined to the second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 by the vertical sealer 24 at 103.
  • the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is advanced away from the vertical sealer 24 by the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 and toward the finishing station 26.
  • the finishing station 26 may include one or more mechanisms 26a, 26b, and 26c for further spatially and physically manipulating the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S that will ultimately provide the substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B. Some or all of the one or more mechanisms may be connected to one or more actuators A.
  • the one or more actuators A may cause the one or more mechanisms 26a, 26b, 26c to be spatially manipulated relative to the sheet of material S in order to form the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • the one or more actuators A may be connected to a computing resource C.
  • the computing resource C may send one or more periodic actuating signals to the one or more actuators A for causing movement of or actuating the one or more actuators A.
  • the finishing station 26 includes a gusseting mechanism 26a defined by a first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and a second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • the first stationary gusseting rail 26ai is spaced apart from the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 by a distance D thereby forming a gap G therebetween.
  • the drive belts 22 advance the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is drawn through the gap G between the first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • a spacing between the left sidewall panel portion SP L and the right sidewall panel portion SP R of the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is defined by a geometry that is greater than the distance D between the first stationary gusseting rail 26a 1 and a second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • the pair of stationary gusseting rails 26a 1 , 26a 2 cooperate to shape each of the left sidewall panel portion SP L of the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S and the right sidewall panel portion SP R of the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S to include a gusseted tuck T at 104 as the drive belts 22 advance the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26.
  • the gusseting mechanism 26a may alternatively include a first gusseting disk 26a 1 and a second gusseting disk 26a 2 that are spaced apart by a distance D, thereby forming a gap G therebetween.
  • the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may be spatially fixed in place.
  • each gusseting disk 26a 1 , 26a 2 may be permitted to rotate about an axis A-A ( FIG. 9C ) extending through an axial center of each gusseting disk 26a 1 , 26a 2 .
  • the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may function in a substantially similar manner as described above with respect to the first stationary gusseting rail 26a 1 and the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 . If the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 are permitted to rotate about respective axes A-A, the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may passively rotate about the respective axes A-A as the spaced-apart drive belts 22 advance the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26.
  • the finishing station 26 further includes a cutting mechanism 26b.
  • the cutting mechanism 26b may include one or a pair of cutters 26b 1 , 26b 2 .
  • the cutter or pair of cutters 26b 1 , 26b 2 may include, but is/are not limited to knives, scissors, punchers, die-cutters, shears, lasers, or the like.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S interfaces with the cutting mechanism 26b.
  • the cutting mechanism 26b removes the first portion DC 1 ' and the second portion DC 2 ' of the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S in order to provide the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S with a first cut DC 1 and a second cut DC 2 at 105.
  • the finishing station 26 further includes a sealing mechanism 26c.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may include a "K-shaped” sealing mechanism.
  • the "K-shaped” sealing mechanism 26c provides the bag B with a sealed edge 29 at the end wall (EW) that has a substantially "U” shape.
  • the "U" shape includes two pairs of legs 31a and 3 1b_extending from a single cross member (i.e., sealed lip portion (LH)) 33 that joins the legs 31a and 31b.
  • the legs extend from the cross member on both sides of the bag B such that a pair of legs are associated with the front bottom panel portion BP F and a pair of legs are associated with the back bottom panel portion BP B1 and the back bottom panel portion BP B2 .
  • a first leg is formed at a sealed junction of the front bottom panel portion BP F and the left bottom panel portion BP L and a second leg is formed at a sealed junction of the front bottom panel portion BP F and the right bottom panel portion BP R .
  • a third leg is formed at a sealed junction of the back bottom panel portion BP B1 and the left bottom panel portion BP L and a fourth leg is formed at a sealed junction of the back bottom panel portion BP B2 and the right bottom panel portion BP R .
  • Each of the legs terminate and are attached to the cross member (i.e., the sealed lip portion (LH)). Accordingly, when viewing the bag B from the from front sidewall panel portion SP F , the first leg, the second leg, and the cross member cooperate to provide a sealed edge having a substantially "U" shape. Similarly, when the bag B is viewed from the back sidewall panel portions SP B1 , SP B2 , the third leg, the fourth leg, and the cross member cooperate to provide a sealed edge having a substantially "U” shape. In this configuration, the legs extend from the cross member at an obtuse angle and in a direction away from one another. The shape of the sealed edge is generally dictated by the "K" shape of the sealing mechanism 26c, as shown in FIG. 9B .
  • the cross member is folded toward the front bottom panel portion BP F and is held in place by crimping the first leg and the second leg, as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the crimp formed in the first leg and the second leg may be formed by folding the first leg and the second leg such that the cross member is brought into close proximity to the front bottom panel portion BP F .
  • the first leg and the second leg may be locally deformed at the area of the fold via heat and/or pressure to maintain the folded nature of the first leg and the second leg. Folding the first leg and the second leg in this fashion provides the bag B with a substantially flat end wall (EW). While the first leg and the second leg are described as being folded, the third leg and the fourth leg could alternatively be folded such that the cross member is brought toward the back bottom panel portion BP B1 and the back bottom panel portion BP B2 .
  • EW substantially flat end wall
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the cut, gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the cut, gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S interfaces with the sealing mechanism 26c.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may spatially manipulate and seal the cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S at 106 by: (1) folding the bottom edge E B (see, e.g., FIG.
  • the VFFS system 10 is then subsequently actuated for passing foodstuff F (e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts or the like) through the material depositing opening 28 of the product delivery cylinder 20 and then through the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 for subsequent arrival in a cavity formed by the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S.
  • foodstuff F e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts or the like
  • the enclosed end wall EW prevents the foodstuff F from escaping out of the cavity of the sealed, folded, cut, gusseted, substantially cylindrical, or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S while the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is still interfaced with the VFFS system 10.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 may then advance the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) through the finishing station 26 such that the enclosed end wall EW of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) is moved past the sealing mechanism 26c.
  • Movement of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S may cease once the top edge E T (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 8A ) of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) is arranged proximate the sealing mechanism 26c.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may be actuated again for simultaneously sealing the top edge E T of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) while also simultaneously forming an enclosed end wall EW of the next segment of the plurality of segments S P reeled from the elongated sheet of material S.
  • a cutter 27 may sever the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein), along the top edge E T to thereby provide the flat bottom stand-up bag B with the foodstuff F provided therein.
  • the cutter may be incorporated into the sealer 26c such that the sealer 26c substantially simultaneously seals the top edge E T of the bag B and severs the bag B from the adjacent bag being formed from the sheet of material S by the VFFS system 10.
  • FIG. 9A an exemplary method (see also, e.g., 200 at FIG. 21 ) for utilizing a VFFS system 10' is described.
  • the steps 201-206 of the method are sequentially carried out in successive order.
  • An elongated sheet of material S is rotatably supported on the support rod 12 at 201 and is arranged about the plurality of tensioners 14 in order to keep the elongated sheet of material S taught as the elongated sheet of material S is guided through the VFFS system 10'.
  • the plurality of tensioners 14 may be defined by at least, for example, a leading tensioner 14 1 and a trailing tensioner 14 7 .
  • the plurality of tensioners 14 may also include a plurality of intermediate tensioners 14 2 -14 6 arranged between the leading tensioner 14 1 and the trailing tensioner 14 7 .
  • the elongated sheet of material S is passed from the trailing tensioner 14 7 for subsequent guiding over the sheet guide 16 and toward the vertically arranged forming tube 18 and the product delivery cylinder 20.
  • the sheet guide 16 directs the elongated sheet of material S into the vertically arranged forming tube 18 that is arranged around the product delivery cylinder 20. Once the elongated sheet of material S is directed into the vertically-arranged forming tube 18, the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 draws the left edge E L and the right edge E R of the elongated sheet of material S together in an overlapping configuration while also reconfiguring the spatial geometry of the elongated sheet of material S from a substantially planar shape (as seen, e.g., about the plurality of tensioners 14) to a substantially cylindrical or tube shape about the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 at 203.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 is arranged in direct contact with the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S for advancing the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S along the vertically arranged forming tube 18 and away from a material depositing opening 28 of the product delivery cylinder 20.
  • the overlapping configuration of the left edge E L and the right edge E R of the elongated sheet of material S results in at least a portion of the first half of the vertically-sealable lip portion LV 1 being arranged in an overlapped orientation with respect to at least a portion of the second half of the vertically-sealable lip portion LV 2 .
  • the first half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 1 is overlapped with the second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 , the first half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 1 is joined to the second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 by the vertical sealer 24 at 204.
  • the finishing station 26 may include one or more mechanisms 26a, 26b, and 26c for further spatially and physically manipulating the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S that will ultimately provide the substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B. Some or all of the one or more mechanisms may be connected to one or more actuators A.
  • the one or more actuators A may cause the one or more mechanisms 26a, 26b, 26c to be spatially manipulated relative to the sheet of material S in order to form the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • the one or more actuators A may be connected to a computing resource C.
  • the computing resource C may send one or more periodic actuating signals to the one or more actuators A for causing movement of or actuating the one or more actuators A.
  • the VFSS system 10' is subtly different in that the finishing station 26 does not include the cutting mechanism 26b arranged proximate to the gusseting mechanism 26a and the sealing mechanism 26c. Rather, the cutting mechanism 26b (as seen, e.g., at FIG.
  • VFFS system 10' provides the first cut DC 1 and the second cut DC 2 in the elongated sheet of material S at 202 after the elongated sheet of material S is reeled off of the support rod 12 and before the elongated sheet of material S is guided over the sheet guide 16 and toward the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 and the product delivery cylinder 20 for shaping the elongated sheet of material S into a tube shape.
  • the elongated sheet of material S is formed to include the first cut DC 1 and the second cut DC 2 by the cutting mechanism 26b when the elongated sheet of material S in the form of a substantially planar sheet (as seen, for example, when the elongated sheet of material S is located about the plurality of tensioners 14) and not when the elongated sheet of material S has been formed into a substantially tube shape and gusseted as described above with respect to the VFFS system 10 of FIG. 1A .
  • the cutting mechanism 26b may include one or a pair of punchers or die-cutters. Alternatively, the cutting mechanism 26b may include, but is/are not limited to knives, scissors, shears, lasers, or the like.
  • the finishing station 26 includes a gusseting mechanism 26a defined by a first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and a second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 defining a pair of stationary gusseting rails 26a.
  • the first stationary gusseting rail 26ai is spaced apart from the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 by a distance D thereby forming a gap G therebetween.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the cut, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the cut, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is drawn through the gap G between the first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the cut, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the cut, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is drawn through the gap G between the first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • the pair of stationary gusseting rails 26a 1 , 26a 2 shapes each of the left sidewall panel portion SP L of the cut, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S and the right sidewall panel portion SP R of the cut, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S to include a gusseted tuck T at 205 as the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26.
  • the gusseting mechanism 26a may alternatively include a first gusseting disk 26a 1 and a second gusseting disk 26a 2 that are spaced apart by a distance D thereby forming a gap G therebetween.
  • the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may be spatially fixed in place.
  • each gusseting disk 26a 1 , 26a 2 may be permitted to rotate about an axis A-A extending through an axial center of each gusseting disk 26a 1 , 26a 2 .
  • the gusseting disks 26ai, 26a 2 may function in a substantially similar manner as described above at FIGS.
  • the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may passively rotate about the axis A-A as the spaced-apart drive belts 22 advance the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26.
  • the finishing station 26 further includes a sealing mechanism 26c.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may include a "K-shaped" sealing mechanism.
  • the drive belts 22 advance the gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is interfaced with the sealing mechanism 26c.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may spatially manipulate and seal the gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S at 206 in a manner by: (1) folding the bottom edge E B of the gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S such that the front horizontally-sealable lip portion LH F overlaps with both of the first half of the back horizontally-sealable lip portion LH B1 and the second half of the back horizontally-sealable lip portion LH B2 and then (2) sealing the front horizontally-sealable lip portion LH F to both of the first half of the back horizontally-sealable lip portion LH B1 and the second half of the back horizontally-sealable lip portion LH B2 to thereby seal the plurality of horizontally-sealable lip portions LH and form the enclosed end wall EW.
  • the VFFS system 10' is then subsequently actuated for passing foodstuff F (e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts or the like) through the material depositing opening 28 of the product delivery cylinder 20 and then through the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 for subsequent arrival in a cavity formed by the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S.
  • foodstuff F e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts or the like
  • the enclosed end wall EW prevents the foodstuff F from escaping out of the cavity of the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S while the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is still interfaced with the VFFS system 10'.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 may then advance the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) through the finishing station 26 such that the enclosed end wall EW of the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) is moved past the sealing mechanism 26c.
  • Movement of the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S may cease once the top edge E T of the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) is arranged proximate the sealing mechanism 26c.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may be actuated again for simultaneously sealing the top edge E T of the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) while also simultaneously forming an enclosed end wall EW of the next segment of the plurality of segments S P reeled from the elongated sheet of material S.
  • the sealing mechanism 26c may also include a cutter that severs the sealed, folded, gusseted and cut substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein), along the top edge E T to thereby provide the flat bottom stand-up bag B with the foodstuff F provided therein.
  • FIG. 9D another exemplary implementation of the VFFS system 10' including a gusseting mechanism 26a defined by a first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and a second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 defining a pair of stationary gusseting rails 26a is described.
  • the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D is substantially similar to the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9B with the exception that the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D does not include a cutting mechanism (i.e., the finishing station 26 of the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D only includes the gusseting mechanism 26a and the sealing mechanism 26c). Because the VFFS system 10' of FIG.
  • the sheet of material S that is interfaced with the VFFS system 10' may be pre-cut in a manner to include at least one first cut DCi and at least one second cut DC 2 .
  • the pre-cuts DCi, DC 2 formed in the sheet of material S may include a substantially triangular shape.
  • FIG. 9E another exemplary implementation of the VFFS system 10' including a gusseting mechanism 26a defined by a first gusseting disk 26ai and a second gusseting disk 26a 2 defining a pair of gusseting disk 26a is described.
  • the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D is substantially similar to the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9B with the exception that the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D does not include a cutting mechanism (i.e., the finishing station 26 of the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D only includes the gusseting mechanism 26a and the sealing mechanism 26c). Because the VFFS system 10' of FIG. 9D does not include a cutting mechanism, the sheet of material S that is interfaced with the VFFS system 10' may be pre-cut in a manner to include at least one first cut DC 1 and at least one second cut DC 2 .
  • FIG. 14A an exemplary method (see also, e.g., 300 at FIG. 22 ) for utilizing a VFFS system 10" is described.
  • the steps 301-305 of the method 300 are sequentially carried out in successive order.
  • An elongated sheet of material S is rotatably supported on the support rod 12 at 301 and is arranged about the plurality of tensioners 14 in order to keep the elongated sheet of material S taught as the elongated sheet of material S is guided through the VFFS system 10".
  • the plurality of tensioners 14 may be defined by at least, for example, a leading tensioner 14 1 and a trailing tensioner 14 7 .
  • the plurality of tensioners 14 may also include a plurality of intermediate tensioners 14 2 -14 6 arranged between the leading tensioner 14 1 and the trailing tensioner 14 7 .
  • the elongated sheet of material S is passed from the trailing tensioner 14 7 for subsequent guiding over the sheet guide 16 and toward the vertically arranged forming tube 18 and the product delivery cylinder 20.
  • the sheet guide 16 directs the elongated sheet of material S into the vertically arranged forming tube 18 that is arranged around the product delivery cylinder 20. Once the elongated sheet of material S is directed into the vertically-arranged forming tube 18, the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 draws the left edge E L and the right edge E R of the elongated sheet of material S together in an overlapping configuration while also reconfiguring the spatial geometry of the elongated sheet of material S from a substantially planar shape (as seen, e.g., about the plurality of tensioners 14) to a substantially cylindrical or tube shape about the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 at 302.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 is arranged in direct contact with the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S for advancing the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S along the vertically arranged forming tube 18 and away from a material depositing opening 28 of the product delivery cylinder 20.
  • the overlapping configuration of the left edge E L and the right edge E R of the elongated sheet of material S results in at least a portion of the first half of the vertically-sealable lip portion LV 1 being arranged in an overlapped orientation with respect to at least a portion of the second half of the vertically-sealable lip portion LV 2 .
  • the first half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 1 is overlapped with the second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 the first half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 1 is joined to the second half of the vertically sealable lip portion LV 2 by the vertical sealer 24 at 303.
  • the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is advanced away from the vertical sealer 24 by the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 and toward the finishing station 26.
  • the finishing station 26 may include one or more mechanisms 26a, 26b, and 26c for further spatially and physically manipulating the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S that will ultimately provide the substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint of the flat-bottom stand-up bag B. Some or all of the one or more mechanisms may be connected to one or more actuators A.
  • the one or more actuators A may cause the one or more mechanisms 26a, 26b, 26c to be spatially manipulated relative to the sheet of material S in order to form the flat-bottom stand-up bag B.
  • the one or more actuators A may be connected to a computing resource C.
  • the computing resource C may send one or more periodic actuating signals to the one or more actuators A for causing movement of or actuating the one or more actuators A.
  • the finishing station 26 includes a gusseting mechanism 26a defined by a first stationary gusseting rail 26ai and a second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 defining a pair of stationary gusseting rails 26a.
  • the first stationary gusseting rail 26a 1 is spaced apart from the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 by a distance D, thereby forming a gap G therebetween.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is drawn through the gap G between the first stationary gusseting rail 26a 1 and the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is drawn through the gap G between the first stationary gusseting rail 26a 1 and the second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 .
  • the pair of stationary gusseting rails 26a 1 , 26a 2 shapes each of the left sidewall panel portion SP L of the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S and the right sidewall panel portion SP R of the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S to include a gusseted tuck T at 304 as the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26.
  • the gusseting mechanism 26a may alternatively include a first gusseting disk 26a 1 and a second gusseting disk 26a 2 that are spaced apart by a distance D, thereby forming a gap G therebetween.
  • the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may be spatially fixed in place.
  • each gusseting disk 26a 1 , 26a 2 may be permitted to rotate about an axis A-A extending through an axial center of each gusseting disk 26a 1 , 26a 2 .
  • the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may function in a substantially similar manner as described above with respect to the first stationary gusseting rail 26a 1 and a second stationary gusseting rail 26a 2 ( FIGS. 15A-15C ). If the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 are permitted to rotate about the axis A-A, the gusseting disks 26a 1 , 26a 2 may passively rotate about the axis A-A as the spaced-apart drive belts 22 advance the substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26.
  • the finishing station 26 further includes an integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c.
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 advances the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S through the finishing station 26 such that the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is interfaced with the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c.
  • the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c simultaneously removes a first portion DC 1 ' and a second portion DC 2 ' of the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S in order to form the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S to include a first cut DC 1 and a second cut DC 2 (as seen in FIGS. 16A-16B ) while also sealing the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (as seen in FIG. 17 ) at 305.
  • the cutting component of the cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26C may include, but is not limited to: one or more knives, one or more scissors, one or more punchers, one or more die-cutters, one or more shears, one or more lasers, or the like.
  • the cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c may include a "K-shaped" sealing mechanism.
  • the sealing portion of the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c may spatially manipulate and seal the gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S at 305 in a manner by: (1) folding the bottom edge E B (see, e.g., FIG.
  • the VFFS system 10 is then subsequently actuated for passing foodstuff F (e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts or the like) through the material depositing opening 28 of the product delivery cylinder 20 and then through the vertically-arranged forming tube 18 for subsequent arrival in a cavity formed by the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S.
  • foodstuff F e.g., cereal, chips, popcorn, candy, nuts or the like
  • the enclosed end wall EW prevents the foodstuff F from escaping out of the cavity of the sealed, folded, cut, gusseted, substantially cylindrical, or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S while the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S is still interfaced with the VFFS system 10".
  • the pair of spaced-apart drive belts 22 may then advance the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein), through the finishing station 26 such that the enclosed end wall EW of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) is moved past the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c.
  • Movement of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S may cease once the top edge E T of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) is arranged proximate the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c.
  • the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c may be actuated again for simultaneously sealing the top edge E T of the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) while also simultaneously forming an enclosed end wall EW of the next segment of the plurality of segments S P reeled from the elongated sheet of material S.
  • a cutter of the integrated cutting and sealing mechanism 26b+26c severs the sealed, folded, cut and gusseted, substantially cylindrical or tube-shaped elongated sheet of material S (including the foodstuff F deposited therein) along the top edge E T to thereby provide the flat bottom stand-up bag B with the foodstuff F provided therein.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)

Claims (5)

  1. Vertikales Form-, Füll- und Versiegelungssystem zur Herstellung von aufrechtstehenden Beuteln mit flachem Boden, umfassend:
    eine Stützstange oder eine Spindel (12), die drehbar einen langgestreckten Materialbogen (S) stützt, der durch eine Vielzahl von Materialsegmenten (S1, S2, ..., Sn) definiert ist, wobei jedes der Vielzahl von Materialsegmenten eine erste Öffnung und eine zweite Öffnung einschließt, die durch den Materialbogen ausgebildet sind;
    ein zylindrisches Formrohr (18), bemessen, um eine linke Kante (EL) und eine rechte Kante (ER) des langgestreckten Materialbogens (S) in einer überlappenden Ausgestaltung zusammenzuziehen, um den langgestreckten Materialbogen (S) in eine Rohrform zu bringen;
    eine Versiegelungsvorrichtung (24), bemessen, um die linke Kante (EL) und die rechte Kante (ER) des langgestreckten Materialbogens (S) miteinander zu versiegeln, um die Rohrform zu bilden;
    einen Faltenmechanismus (26a), bemessen, um in jedem von einem linken Seitenwandbogenabschnitt (SPL) und einem rechten Seitenwandbogenabschnitt (SPR) der Rohrform einen Falteneinschlag zu bilden, um eine gefaltete Rohrform zu bilden; und
    einen Versiegelungsmechanismus (26c), der das erste Segment (S1) der Vielzahl von Materialsegmenten an der ersten Öffnung und an der zweiten Öffnung faltet und versiegelt, um eine Endwand (EW) des ersten Segments (S1) mit einer flachen, rechteckigen Grundfläche bereitzustellen; und
    eine Schneidvorrichtung (27), die betreibbar ist, um das erste Segment (S1) von einem zweiten Segment (S2) zu trennen, das dem ersten Segment (S1) nachgelagert angeordnet ist,
    wobei die Schneidvorrichtung (27) und der Versiegelungsmechanismus (26c) eine integrierte Maschine in einer "K"-Form bilden, und
    wobei die Schneidvorrichtung (27) und der Versiegelungsmechanismus (26c) zusammenwirken, um eine versiegelte Kante an der Endwand (EW) bereitzustellen, die im Wesentlichen eine "U"-Form aufweist und die ein Paar von Schenkeln (31a, 31b) aufweist, die sich von einem Querelement (33) erstrecken, das das Paar von Schenkeln (31a, 31b) verbindet, wobei sich die Schenkel (31a, 31b) von dem Querelement (33) in einem stumpfen Winkel und voneinander weg erstrecken.
  2. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Öffnung durch den linken Seitenwandbogenabschnitt (SPL) und die zweite Öffnung durch den rechten Seitenwandbogenabschnitt (SPR) gebildet ist, wobei die erste Öffnung und die zweite Öffnung eine dreieckige Form aufweisen, wobei die dreieckige Form eine Basis hat, die koplanar mit einer Außenkante des ersten Segments (S1) ist.
  3. Verfahren zur Herstellung von aufrechtstehenden Beuteln mit flachem Boden unter Verwendung des Systems nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, umfassend:
    drehbares Stützen eines langgestreckten Materialbogens (S1), der durch eine Vielzahl von Materialsegmenten (S1, S2, ..., Sn) definiert ist;
    Zusammenziehen einer linken Kante (EL) und einer rechten Kante (ER) des langgestreckten Materialbogens (S) in einer überlappenden Ausgestaltung um ein zylindrisches Formrohr (18), um den langgestreckten Materialbogen (S) in eine Rohrform zu bringen;
    Versiegeln der linken Kante (EL) und der rechten Kante (ER) des langgestreckten Materialbogens (S) miteinander mithilfe einer Versiegelungsvorrichtung (24), um die Rohrform zu bilden;
    Bilden eines Falteneinschlags in jedem von einem linken Seitenwandbogenabschnitt (SPL) und einem rechten Seitenwandbogenabschnitt (SPR) der Rohrform mithilfe eines Faltenmechanismus (26a), um eine gefaltete Rohrform zu bilden; und;
    Entfernen eines ersten Abschnitts (DC1') und eines zweiten Abschnitts (DC2') eines ersten Segments (S1) der gefalteten Rohrform mithilfe eines Schneidmechanismus (26b), um einen ersten Schnitt (DC1) und einen zweiten Schnitt (DC2) in dem ersten Segment (S1) zu bilden;
    Falten und Versiegeln, mithilfe eines Versiegelungsmechanismus (26c), des ersten Segments (S1) an dem ersten Schnitt (DC1) und an dem zweiten Schnitt (DC2), um eine Endwand (EW) des ersten Segments (S1) mit einer flachen, rechteckigen Grundfläche bereitzustellen;
    Trennen, mithilfe einer Schneidvorrichtung (27), des ersten Segments (S1) von einem zweiten Segment (S2), das dem ersten Segment (S1) nachgelagert angeordnet ist,
    wobei die Schneidvorrichtung (27) und der Versiegelungsmechanismus (26c) eine integrierte Maschine in einer "K"-Form bilden, und
    wobei die Schneidvorrichtung (27) und der Versiegelungsmechanismus (26c) zusammenwirken, um eine versiegelte Kante an der Endwand (EW) bereitzustellen, die im Wesentlichen eine "U"-Form aufweist und die ein Paar von Schenkeln (31a, 31b) aufweist, die sich von einem Querelement (33) erstrecken, das das Paar von Schenkeln (31a, 31b) verbindet, wobei sich die Schenkel (31a, 31 b) von dem Querelement (33) in einem stumpfen Winkel und voneinander weg erstrecken.
  4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3,
    wobei das Trennen des ersten Abschnitts (DC1') und des zweiten Abschnitts (DC2') vor dem Formrohr (18) erfolgt.
  5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3,
    wobei das Trennen des ersten Abschnitts (DC1') und des zweiten Abschnitts (DC2') nach dem Formrohr (18) erfolgt.
EP16711482.6A 2015-03-18 2016-03-10 Aufrechtstehender beutel mit flachem boden, vertikales form-, füll- und versiegelungssystem und verfahren zur verwendung davon Active EP3271252B1 (de)

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US201562134877P 2015-03-18 2015-03-18
PCT/US2016/021825 WO2016149042A1 (en) 2015-03-18 2016-03-10 Flat-bottom stand-up bag, vertical form, fill, and seal system and methodology for utilizing the same

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EP3271252B1 true EP3271252B1 (de) 2021-04-21

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EP (1) EP3271252B1 (de)
AU (1) AU2016233602B2 (de)
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ES (1) ES2880441T3 (de)
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TWI712551B (zh) * 2020-02-21 2020-12-11 鴻寶興業有限公司 料袋填料系統之夾袋裝置

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CA2978638A1 (en) 2016-09-22
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MX2017011162A (es) 2017-11-09
US20160272349A1 (en) 2016-09-22
US20190241289A1 (en) 2019-08-08
WO2016149042A1 (en) 2016-09-22
AU2016233602A1 (en) 2017-09-07
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US11667415B2 (en) 2023-06-06
US20240076076A1 (en) 2024-03-07
CA2978638C (en) 2023-09-12
ES2880441T3 (es) 2021-11-24
EP3271252A1 (de) 2018-01-24

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